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New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. with honorees and co-sponsors at his Veterans' Recognition Ceremony at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum on Tuesday, November 29, 2005. Pictured are: (back, l to r) Marty Edelman, Vice Chair, Intrepid Foundation; Rabbi William Kloner, RADM, NYNM, Chaplain, the Intrepid; Stanley H. Clark, New York State Commander, American Legion; Comptroller Thompson; Bernard L. Thompson, Past State Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, New York State and Chair, Outreach, Veterans of Foreign Wars, New York State; P.O. Francesca A. Smith, Port Security Officer, United States Coast Guard and Firefighter, New York City Fire Department; Richard Malfitano, President, Rolling Thunder, Chapter 1, New York; (front, l to r) Captain Glenn A. Wiltshire; Peter De Angelis, Past County Commander, Kings County American Legion and Chief of Staff, Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade; Gene Doughty, Past National President, Montford Point Marine Association and Director, Montford Point Marine Association Scholarship Program; and, Kingston V. Lam, Patient Associate/Advocate, New York Downtown Hospital Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army and Member, American Legion, Lt. B.R. Kim Lau Chinese  Memorial Post 1291.

Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. honored five city leaders at his annual Veterans' Recognition event on Tuesday, November 29, 2005. The event was co-sponsored with the Intrepid Sea , Air & Space Museum , American Legion of the State of New York and Rolling Thunder, Chapter 1, New York .

Addressing several hundred people gathered at the Intrepid Sea , Air & Space Museum , Thompson said: “Tonight, we pay tribute to all of the men and women of our armed forces, those who served in the past and those who are serving now… We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the men and women who are serving abroad, who risk their lives every day and endure long absences from their families. We owe them more than words; we owe them respect, honor and the support they need to come home safe and soon.”

Thompson continued: “ Tonight, let us reconfirm our commitment to upholding the fundamental principles that make our nation strong. And let us reconfirm our commitment to doing everything we can – in words and in deeds – to recognize the contributions and the sacrifices of America 's veterans.  Tonight, we are honoring a distinguished group of men and women who served our country and who have made extraordinary contributions to our city. They are role models, and they are leaders who have set new standards for excellence.”

Comptroller Thompson presented the first award of the evening to veteran and community leader Peter De Angelis. Mr. De Angelis served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954, and was assigned to the 7 th Division, 32 nd Regiment in Korea , where he advanced to the rank of Staff Sergeant and received the Purple Heart for wounds he received in combat.  He is past County Commander of the Kings County American Legion, has held numerous leadership positions with the organization, and served as Post Commander of the William P. Mooney Post 2652 of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. De Angelis currently serves as Chief of Staff for the Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade.

“Peter De Angelis has worked tirelessly on behalf of the men and women of the military, and has contributed greatly to the quality of life in our city,” Thompson said.

The second award went to Gene Doughty, National Director of Montford Point Marine Association's scholarship program, as well as the organization's past National President.  Mr. Doughty was among the first 100 African American recruits selected from New York City to serve in the United States Marine Corps. In 1944, he was assigned to the 36 th Marine Depot Company, serving as Squad Leader, 1 st Squad, 1 st Platoon at Camp Caitlin , Pearl Harbor . Mr. Doughty served alongside assault forces on Iwo Jima on D-Day, and, after the war, was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Comptroller Thompson said: “ Gene Doughty has served this country with distinction, and demonstrated extraordinary commitment to meeting the needs of New York City veterans. ”

Kingston Lam was the third honoree of the evening.  A member of the reserves, Mr. Lam was deployed to Iraq in 2003. He returned to the U.S. last April after serving as Staff Sergeant in the Army's 602nd Cargo Team in Iraq .    Mr. Lam works as a patient advocate at N.Y.U. Downtown Hospital , where his skills and outstanding language abilities – he speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, Fujianese, Japanese and English – make him a highly valued member of the healthcare team. Mr. Lam immigrated to the U.S. 11 years ago with his mother and three older siblings from China 's Fujian province to join their father, who had come earlier. He became a United States citizen two years ago.

“Kingston Lam has served our nation with outstanding commitment,” said the Comptroller, presenting him with an award “in recognition of his dedication and service.”

Firefighter and Coast Guard Officer Francesca Smith received the next award.  Ms. Smith has been a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department since 2002. Before that, she was a police officer for five years. She has done extensive work as a leader in training programs for both organizations. She is also a member of the United States Coast Guard, serving as a Port Security Officer as part of the Coast Guard's Tactical Security Operations. Last year, she advanced to the rank of Petty Officer 2 nd Class.

Thompson praised Ms. Smith for her “ immeasurable contributions to the safety and security of our city and our nation.”

The final honoree of the evening was veteran and community leader Bernard “Ben” Thompson. Mr. Thompson is State Outreach Chairman, and past State Commander of the New York chapter of Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also has been Acting State Chaplain since 1998.  Mr. Thompson enlisted in the United States Air Force, and served one tour of duty as a Weapons Specialist/Heavy Ordinance with the 559 th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Vietnam . In 1980, he joined the VFW “ United States at Proctor-Hopson” Post 1896 in Jamaica , New York , and eventually became Post Commander. He continues to serve as Post Quartermaster.  Mr. Thompson also works for the Department of State, serving as Chief of the Import Section in the New York Dispatch Agency.

“Ben Thompson has served this country with distinction, and demonstrated extraordinary commitment to meeting the needs of New York City veterans,” said the Comptroller.

Sgt. Louis Licalzi's performance and a special appearance by the Harlem Youth Marines provided the entertainment portion of the evening.

To receive photographs, please contact Marla Maritzer at (212) 669-2597 or at mmaritz@comptroller.nyc.gov .